Celebrity Nigerian dancer, Kafayat Shafau, popularly known as Kaffy, has shed light on the minimal investments in the expansion of the dance industry, despite its improved recognition as a vital component of the creative sector. Kaffy, a former Guinness World Record holder, expressed her disappointment in the lack of funding allocated to dance compared to other popular art forms like music and film.
In an interview with Saturday Beats, Kaffy raised concerns about the potential exploitation of dance for purposes other than entertainment. She highlighted the positive development of dance being recognized as both a viable business and career option. She emphasized the shift in parental attitudes towards dance classes, noting that in the past, parents were often reluctant to enroll their children due to a lack of understanding regarding the value it could bring. However, she believes that the perception of dance has gradually changed, and parents now recognize its benefits.
Nevertheless, Kaffy pointed out that the dance industry still lacks a well-structured ecosystem due to inadequate investment. While movies and music receive significant financial support, dance is often viewed as a service provider rather than an integral part of the industry. Kaffy questioned whether dance is taken seriously enough to be considered a viable investment. She emphasized that without sufficient investment and capital, the dance industry cannot sustain itself.
She also addressed the need to equip individuals in the creative industry with essential knowledge and skills to thrive. She stressed that dancers, like other creative professionals, should have access to education beyond just dance techniques. Kaffy believes that providing dancers with knowledge in areas such as accounting, marketing, sales, and social media usage is crucial for their careers and businesses to thrive. Her platform aims to bridge this gap by offering young people the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in the creative industry.
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